Bengals Re-Sign Devon Still to Pay for Daughter’s Cancer Treatment

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed defensive tackle Devon Still to their practice squad after cutting him from the team last weekend.

But re-signing Still wasn’t a football decision. Still needed help to pay for his 4-year-old daughter Leah’s cancer treatment. Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 pediatric cancer in June. “I just broke down in tears and I couldn’t stop crying,” said Still in an interview with ABC News. “It was like my whole world turned upside down.”

Still, 25, said his mind wasn’t on the game of football, so he wasn’t surprised when the team cut him.

“I completely understand where the Bengals were coming from when they cut me because I couldn’t give football a hundred percent right now,” said Still.

But the Bengals gave Still a second chance on Thursday by offering him a position on the practice squad.

With the new job Still receives insurance and a steady paycheck of $6,300 a week to help pay his daughter’s medical bills.

Practice squad players don’t travel with the team for road games. So Still can stay close to his little girl while she receives cancer treatment.

“They could’ve washed their hands of me,” said Still of the Bengals organization. “It’s kind of like a blessing in disguise for me. We’re going to go to battle with cancer and she’s willing to put up the fight to beat it.”